Cincinnati Bengals Playbook: Offensive Set Options

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Sep 14, 2014; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Cincinnati Bengals offensive coordinator Hue Jackson against the Atlanta Falcons at Paul Brown Stadium. The Bengals won 24-10. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports

A full house, that is the offensive roster for the Cincinnati Bengals at this time with a four-time Pro Bowl wide receiver, a returning number two receiver, five returning offensive lineman, one franchise running back, one slippery change of pace pass catching back, potential middle of the field monster tight end, and a fifth-year starting quarterback. In my opinion, a full house equals no excuses for the 2015 season and it sounds like the coaches and players agree. No team makes it through a season without some injuries, but if this team can stay somewhat healthy, the sky is the limit.

Offensive coordinator Hue Jackson will get to play the “mad scientist” in an effort to confound defenses. One thing that stood out to me last year is Hue isn’t afraid to use rookies in a big role, which was evident in center Russel Bodine and FB/H-B Ryan Hewitt. I would fully expect rookie tight end Tyler Kroft and tackle Jake Fisher to be used from the start. We even saw Fisher catching some passes during OTA’s.

Veteran Rex Burkhead has shown he can contribute in multiple ways, playing receiver during last year’s playoff loss, and is now impressing coaches. Don’t forget about Denarius Moore, the free agent from Oakland. He will be in the mix as well if he can beat out Brandon Tate. The possibilities are endless for potential sets and combinations. Here is a look as some of the player combinations that could make it onto the field and some formations the offense could use.